HomeMy WebLinkAbout~Master - Special Home Occupation Permit to operate a cleaning business at 2402 Melrose AvenueCITY OF AMES, IOWA
ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTME
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NOV 14 2013 ]
IN THE MATTER OF THE
APPLICATION OF KAMM FOR A CASE NO. 13-07
SPECIAL HOME OCCUPATION
PERMIT, §29.1503, AMES MUNICIPAL GEOCODE NO. 05-34-226-060
CODE, TO OPERATE CLEANING
BUSINESS ON THE PROPERTY DECISION & ORDER
LOCATED AT 2402 MELROSE AVENUE
FACTS
The property at this address is a single story, single family detached home with a two car
detached garage. It sits on a corner lot and is in an RL (Low Density Residential) zoning district.
The applicant and her husband own and reside in the home. These homeowners operate a
cleaning business in a commercial location, but are downsizing their operation significantly and
would therefore like to move the business to their home. She is seeking a Special Home
Occupation permit to allow this. The proposed business will consist of a home office along with
storage of materials, equipment and vehicles used in the business. Four hundred fifty square feet
of residential space will be used for business purposes, which comprise 22% of the home's floor
area. Since the cleaning takes place at the client locations, no business activities besides office
tasks and storage will be occurring at the residence. The equipment used is cleaning equipment,
such as vacuum sweepers, and it is all of a domestic scale. No structural changes are needed to
accommodate the business and there will not be a sign attached to the structure. The residence
will retain the same residential character it currently has. The business will employ the two
homeowners and up to two other employees who do not reside there. The employees will come
to the house to pick up a work vehicle which will then be driven to the worksites. At the end of
the work day it will be returned to the home. The work vehicles are typically parked in the
driveway of the home, which is large enough that four vehicles can be parked in it. The
employees usually use street parking for their vehicles. There are no client vehicles or delivery
vehicles coming to the home. No classes or other home occupations are taking place.
DECISION
The Board considers the standards applicable to Special Home Occupations under the provisions
of the zoning ordinance. Having heard the evidence presented about this proposed business, the
Board finds that it meets the standards for the area to be used, signage, equipment and number of
employees. Client and delivery traffic are not involved in this business, and the traffic and
parking associated with the outside employees is in compliance with the standards of the
ordinance and should not negatively impact the neighborhood. In light of the evidence presented
and the findings in the staff report, the Board determines that grant of this permit is appropriate.
WHEREFORE, IT IS ORDERED that the Applicant is Granted a Special Home Occupation
Permit, section 29.1304(3) of the Ames Municipal Code, to allow operation of a cleaning
business at the property located at 2402 Melrose Avenue.
Any person desiring to appeal this decision to a court of record may do so within 30 days after
the filing of this decision.
Done this 1 Och day of July, 2013.